I Just Want an Education! Young People’s Perspectives

Young people want an education but on terms that they feel meet their needs and aspirations. The dearth of studies that focus on what young people say about their education has been noted in the literature, particularly the voices of those who have been disenfranchised by their educational experiences. This chapter addresses that gap and examines what the sixty-one young people in this study had to say about what they value in their flexible learning option (FLO). The detailing of the methodology is important as is understanding the young persons' worldview. The young people talk about innovative education that addresses their current needs, as well as a focus on the future. They had little tolerance for their previous educational experiences and were in high praise of the teachers and staff at the FLOs whose specialised teaching and pastoral care they appreciated. The implications are stark; young people need to feel safe and respected so that they can engage in learning with teachers/staff who are prepared to teach/work differently.